Tag Archives: Westchester County hospital

Caring for the Caregiver

November is National Caregivers MonthAre you one of the 46 million people in the U.S. who are caring for an ailing family member or close friend? Being a “caregiver” can be emotionally, physically, and financially stressful. Research from the National Family Caregivers Alliance shows that family caregivers can suffer from poor health and up to 50% of all caregivers report feeling depressed.

So what can you do? The Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center at Northern Westchester Hospital offers a few suggestions to help you reduce your stress: Continue reading →

5 Healthier Halloween Candy Choices

by Stephanie Perruzza, MS, RD, CDN, Northern Westchester Hospital

Let’s be honest, when October rolls around we all know that we look forward to the large displays of Halloween candy in the supermarkets. This can be quite the competitive holiday for trick-or-treaters, challenging who can cover the most trick-or-treating ground collecting the most candy. It’s no shock that Halloween candy can be high in fat and sugar, which is why it’s important to watch your portions so the calories don’t add up. To stay on track keep in mind these simple tips when it comes to candy hunting: Continue reading →

Have you ever considered becoming a vegetarian? What stopped you from doing so? There are many reasons why some people opt for this dietary style. Whichever vegetarian diet you choose (lacto-ovo, pescetarian, flexitarian, or vegan), there is ample research to suggest that partaking in a plant-based diet has multiple health benefits. However, before you jump into veggies, it’s important to be mindful of specific nutrients you may be lacking from your diet. In honor of Vegetarian Awareness Month, let’s discuss the top five nutrients of concern and some delicious sources! I’ve included some terrific recipes to get you started. Continue reading →

2013 Is the Year to Finally Stop Smoking

Yes, it feels like we’ve heard it before: Smoking kills. But did you realize puffing a cigarette accounts for one of every five deaths in the United States? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more people die from smoking than from HIV, illegal drugs, alcohol abuse, car accidents, suicides, and murders combined. Continue reading →

Sensitive to Gluten or Suffering from Celiac Disease?

Just 10 years ago, Americans with celiac (SEE-lee-ak) disease had a tough time getting a diagnosis. Doctors thought that the autoimmune digestive disorder was extremely rare in this country. However, recent studies suggest that at least 1 percent of the US population—about 3.5 million—may have this genetic condition, which causes symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea and can lead to malnutrition and thinning bones. Even worse: Up to 83 percent of them don’t realize they have it, according to statistics from the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. People used to think that celiac disease was primarily a problem in Northern Europe, now we know that we’re pretty much comparable. Continue reading →